Proposed Project Would Add Additional Bike Lanes Around City

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- If it's approved, the city of Pittsburgh will spend $800,000 to complete bike lane links for cyclists.

The project would essentially close gaps for bicyclists, looking for a path to get from the Smithfield Street Bridge to Point State Park.

"This really completes the network for people who choose to ride bikes," said Scott Bricker, executive director for Bike Pittsburgh.

Bricker said the bike lane projects are all about safety.

Speaking about the Smithfield Bridge area, where many of the downtown paths end, Bricker said, "that part is really convoluted and it's dangerous. There's a lot of people going the wrong way down one way streets. This connection must be made."

"My office is on the North Side, I'm going to the South Side, and I can go most of the way on trails, but there are few spots where I have to go on sidewalks or on the road," said Harold Hartger, who often rides his bike to work when the weather permits.

The proposed path from the Smithfield Street Bridge, down to Fort Pitt Boulevard to Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue would be helpful for Hartger.

The second project, at a cost of $65,000, would create bike lanes on East Street in the North Side. It would eventually create a path from the North Shore to the trail, near Western Penitentiary.

City Council is expected to vote on the legislation next week. That would give Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto authority to seek construction bids.

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